Metric Flight / Scientific workbench

Scientific workbench

Photon thrust

How much force leaves with a beam?

Photon thrust

How much force leaves with a beam?

An ideal one-way photon emitter. Set optical output power, not electrical input.

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F = P / c
Illustrative model · not measured data · not to scale

Check: 1 kW optical output gives approximately 3.3356 µN. For reflection of an external beam at normal incidence, the ideal force can reach 2P/c; the source of that incoming beam is outside the sail.

Research basis: Paul A. Williams, 2013.

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